1. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Sophie De Sylvie DJOUFA TIEMAGNI, a lawyer at the Cameroon Bar Association, a graduate of the Maritime and Oceanic Law Centre (CDMO) at the University of Nantes, France, a Maritime SheEO Ambassador, certified in Sustainable Blue Economy, ACIArb certified, and IDEP-AfCFTA certified.
Author of the book “L’ÉCONOMIE BLEUE, UNE MINE D’OR”, I have also written several articles published on my blog and various platforms including Tribune Justice, MARITIMAFRICA, and SHE OF CHANGE MAGAZINE.
My leitmotif is: “Bringing the blue economy out of lethargy in Africa, particularly in Cameroon.”
2. Your book “L’économie bleue, une mine d’or” highlights the opportunities offered by the blue economy. What inspired you to write this book and address this topic in particular?
Indeed, this work was born from the observation that unemployment is increasing day by day, brains are leaving the country in search of better living conditions, and young people—sometimes highly educated—remain jobless in already saturated traditional professional sectors, while right beneath our feet lies an inexhaustible niche of opportunities that remains little or even unexplored and untapped by economic stakeholders.
Moreover, outdated mindsets continue to assume that the maritime and port sectors are the exclusive preserve of a handful of individuals, and that it would therefore be pointless to even consider approaching them because it would be impossible. Undoubtedly, these pessimistic thoughts gain ground because young people are not truly aware of their potential, nor sufficiently informed about the professions in these sectors and the wide range of opportunities they offer.
It therefore seemed important—and even urgent—to break this myth that the maritime and port sector can only be explored by certain elite groups. That is what I attempt to do through this book which, while not a magic formula, aims to stimulate, awaken, and raise awareness, and to inform young people and the general public about the multitude of maritime economic activities that exist, so that everyone, without any excuse, may take interest in a sector and consider building a career there or even pursuing professional retraining.
Furthermore, since the blue economy cannot be sustainable without a sound justice system that respects duly ratified international and regional regulations, I believed it was timely and imperative for a wake-up call to be sounded. Hence the advocacy for a reform of the judicial system in Cameroon, particularly with regard to maritime law.
THIS IS MY FIGHT!
3. What are the main outlines of your book?
It is important to recall that the hydrosphere refers to all the water found on Earth. The globe is covered by 71% seas and oceans, which is why it is also called the “Blue Planet.” The ocean releases 50% of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs 25% of carbon dioxide. Ninety percent of international trade is carried out by sea. This demonstrates the fundamental importance of water for humanity.
The blue economy encompasses all jobs and economic activities that are directly or indirectly supported by oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, coasts, waterways—in short, by water.
The World Bank gives it a much more technical definition.
For the World Bank, the blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
The European Commission provides a much simpler and clearer definition. For it, the blue eco- nomy encompasses all economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts.
The blue economy offers the opportunity to harness all marine and aquatic natural resources and even to create a chain of economic activities around water bodies. This includes fisheries, aquaculture, offshore oil and mineral extraction, coastal and marine tourism, maritime transport, port management, maritime and port safety and security, shipbuilding, circular energy, integrated management of coastal and marine ecosystems, improved solid waste management, the fight against pollution and illicit and criminal activities at sea, and more.
The blue economy therefore requires a new vision for the economic and political use of resources from oceans, seas, rivers, lakes , and other bodies of water, as well as for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
The blue economy enables states to rethink the global balance in terms of food security, economic development, sociopolitical stability, and security. It promotes sustainable development, economic growth, job creation, improved social conditions, better livelihoods, and overall well-being, thereby fostering political stability.
To borrow the words of Professor Martin Ndende during one of his many lectures, the blue economy is like a chair with four legs, which serve as its pillars: an economic pillar, a social pillar, an environmental and ecosystem pillar, and a safety and security pillar.
It is also important to note that the blue economy effectively contributes to mitigating the current phenomenon of climate change through the development of offshore renewable energy, the decarbonization of maritime transport, and the greening of ports.
This highlights the essential value of the blue economy. We believe this is undoubtedly why the African Union has declared it the new frontier of the African Renaissance. The maritime sector is highly dynamic and offers tremendous opportunities across various fields of activity:
Read the full interview on pages 57 to 61 of Blue Women Africa Magazine : https://www.bluewomenafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blue-Women-Africa-Magazine-English.pdf
